Refrigerating apparatus



J L. GIBSON REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed April 50, 1934 N IEEI-a May 1 l, 1937.

ententes May 1,1.i93z

` UNITED STATES lPATENT -oFFic-E 1 Vn'arianorEnA'rnso. APPARATUS .li LowellGibson, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to Genlloration oi' Delaware eral Motors Corporation, Dayton, J,(lhio, a cor- 'Application April 30.19914, serial Nn. '323,121

18 Claims.` (Ol. 625141) This, invention relates to refrigerationand more particularly to a liquid cooler.

It is an object of this invention to provide a cooler for liquids which may be'easily and economically manufactured and which is extremely emcient in its operation. 4

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent' from the following is for refrigerant.

description, reference being had to theaccofnpanying drawing, wherein a. preferredrforr of i the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing:

Fig.; 1 is a view showing my improved cooler with parts .Y shown diagrammatically and with parts shown in vertical cross section;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view, somewhat diagrammatic, of a cabinet in which my cooler may be installed; and

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines 3 3 of Figure l.

Y A liquid cooler embodying features of my invention preferably embodies a metallic structure forming vertically spirally orrcircuitously ar- -ranged passageways lin thermal contact with each. other, one of the passageways being for liquid to nbe cooled and the other for refrigerant, these fluids flowing in counter direction to each other. Thus the cooler' may take the form of two nested metallic tubes I and II having a space I2 between them sealed at the ends, for example, by means of metallic rings I3 and I4 soldered or brazed to the tubes and in which various fluid iiow connections are made. A pipe I5 is circiitously arranged in the space I2, preferably inthe form of a vertical spiral. This pipe is made of copper and is preferably flattened and contacts ,with both tubes to form two circuito'us or spiral passageways inside and outside of said pipe.' inside and/or the outside. One of these Apassageways is for liquidto becooled and the other In the form" now preferred, the passageway for the pipe I5 and is indicated at I6. 'I'he passageway for refrigerant is on the outside of pipe I5 and is' indicated at I`I. ,An inlet for liquid to be cooled takes ,the form of a connection I3 passing through ring I3 and is connected .to a

source of liquid to be cooled such 'as one or more beer kegs I9 placed in as refrigerated compartment and connected by the pipe 2I with the inlet I8. If desired, and as shown, more than, one pipe may be used spira'lly arranged in the space I2. Such pipes `may have their coils interspaced and` under such circumstances the This pipe may be tinned on the liquid to be cooled iainside other pipe may be connected by an inlet :z simi- .lar`l to the inlet i8 with the same or a different source of liquid to be cooled, such` as to a supply of a diierent grade of beer or to a supply of Water.- IIhus the pipe 22a may be connected Vto 5 pipe '2i or to a different source of supply. The` pipe or pipes l5 have liquid outlets 23 and 2 4 in the ring M and are connected to faucets 25 and 26 through which the cooledliquids are discharged. 10

Volatilerefrigerant isintroduced into .the passageway Il, preferably in a ow direction counter to the-fiow-of the liquid to be cooled. Thus a refrigerant liquefying unit 21 ,has its liquid re` frigerant line 2B connected to a refrigerant in- 15 let. 29 in thre ringil which discharges into the lower end of the passageway i'I.` The vaporized Y Y refrigerant leaves the 4passageway II through a refrigerant suction outlet v30 passing through the ring I3 and is connected by the refrigerant 2osuction line 3| with the refrigerant liquefying unit2'I. f

Automatic controls are provided. Thus an automatic expansion valve 32 is connected tothe lowerend of the'refrigerant passageway II pref- Ierably adjacent the inlet 23 `and is calibrated to feed liquid eirig'erantwhenever the-pressure in .passageway I'I falls below a 'predetermined limit except whenthermally throttled. A thermally responsive element, such as bulb 33. is 30 placed in 1thermal exchange relationship with the liquid inlet I8 or 22 and in thermal'exchange relationshipwith refrigerant near outlet 30 and controls the flow of` refrigerant through the valve 32. This bulb 33, which is thus responsive 35 to the liquid refrigerant level in the passageway' I'I throttles valve 32 when the liquid refrigerant attains theV proper level and thus prevents the spilling over of the refrigerant. into the line 3|. On ,the other hand,` the ow lof .warm 40 liquid into the inlet I3 or 22 warms the bulb 33 and thus tends to open the valve 32 for the` flow of refrigerantwhen,needed. A pressure limiting valve 301s lplaced adjacent the outlet 30. This valve 34 prevents the refrigerantV liq- .45

. uefying unit from reducing the pressure 'in' the `passageway II below the vapor pressureI temperature of the refrigerant'corresponding to the freezing .temperature of the liquid to be cooled.,

Itv is of the typewhich gradually throttles more 'and more as thel pressure drops4 in passageway I'I until it closes entirely before liquid can be frozen in passageway I6, An automatic control for the refrigerant liquefying unit,2'l is provided which is responsive to lconditions inthe cooler, 5s

. control of switch 3.5.

nected to the suction line 3i between the valve 34 and the unit 2l. 'Ihe switch 35 tends to stop -the motor 36 of the unit 2l when the pressure in the pipe 3| falls to a predetermined limit 'after valve 34 has closed, and tends to start the motor when the pressure rises to a predetermined limit after the valve 3d has opened. Ihe motor 36 way il volatilizing a portion thereof thereby.

opening .Valve 3d and increasing the pressure in the suction line `3| to the limit at which the motor 36 is started. The volatilized refrigerant is thus reliqueed and it is returned for reuse inthe cooler. Thel lunit 21 thus operates -in re-` sponse to conditions in the cooler through the This liquid cooler maybe used in any suitable location. Forexample, it maybe placed in a 'cabinet 50 having `an insulated space 5l through which a connection with the discharge faucet v'as herein' disclosed, constitutes a preferred f/orm,

it is to be understood lthat other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims whichl follow.

l I nection for cooled liquid at the other end of said passageway, a refrigerant liquefying unit having" 'the lower end of the'oth'er of said pasageways 4and vaporized refrigerant suction means con`N sageways.

vWhat is claimed is as follows:

1. A liquid cooler comprising nested tubes, a ring in sealing engagement with said tubes at one end, sealing means at the other end of said tubes, said ring havinganges engaging the sides of said tubes, a pipe circuitously arranged in the A space between said tubes forming fluid flow lcircuitous passageways inside and outside.. said pipe,

va., refrigerant liquefying unit connected to one of said passageways in volatile refrigerant flow relationship therethrough and a source of liquid at the ends, a pipe spirally arranged in the space between said tubes forming uid ilow spiral passageways inside and outside said pipe, a connec- -tion into one of said passageways at the upper end of said tubes adapted to be connected to' a source of liquid tofbe cooledand a discharge conliquid refrigerant discharge means connected to nectedto the upper end of said last named passageway.

-at .the ends, a pipe circuitously arranged iny .the

space between said tubes forming iiuid flow cirfcuitous passageways inside andNoutside said pipe, i

a 'connection into th upperV end .0f .011 0f `Said 7. A liquid cooler comprising verticaiiy/nestefd/I t 2,080,319 vThus a pressure responsive switch 35 is conpassageways adapted to be connected `to a source of liquid to be cooled and a discharge connection for cooled liquid at the other end/sof said passageway, a refrigerant liquefying unit having liquid refrigerant discharge means connected to the lower end [ef the yother of Asaid passageways and vaporized refrigerant suction means connected to the other end of said last .named passageway, the liquid to-be cooled and the refrig- Rerant flowing in counter directions in said cooler,

Wan automatic expansion valve in said liquid ren frigerant discharge means, and a thermostatic element at the upper end 'of said tubes modifying said valve.

4./A liquid cooler comprising vertically disposed nested tubes with a space between them sealed at the ends, a pipe `circuitously arranged in said space forming fluid flow passageways inside and outside said pipe and extending along said spacenone of said passageways being a refrigerant passageway and the other of said passageways being 'a liquid to be cooled passageway, an inlet connection from a source of liquid to be cooled into one end of said liquid to be' cooled passageway and a discharge. from the otherend of said passageway, an automatic expansion valve connected to the lower end of said re- -'frigerant passageway and a refrigerant suction. outlet connectedV to the upper end 4of said re-` circuitousiy arranged in said space forming fluid yflow passageways inside and outside said pipe and extending along said space one of said passageways being a refrigerant passageway and the other of` said .passageways being a liquid to,

be cooled passageway, an inlet connectioni'rorn a source ofliquid to be cooled into one end of said liquid to. be cooled passageway and a discharge from'the other end of -said passageway, an automatic expansion valve connected to one end of-saidrefrigerant passageway and a refrigerant suction outlet connected tothe other end of said refrigerant passageway, -a refrigerant liquefying unit connectedfto said valve and suction outlet and apressure limiting valve between saidJsuction outlet and said refrigerant liquefying unit.

6. A liquid cooler compris-ing nested tubes with a space between them sealed at-the ends, a pipe y ways being a refrigerant passageway and the other of said passageways lbeing a liquid tov be cooled passageway. an inlet connection from a source of liquid to be cooled into 'one end of said liquid tol be cooled passageway and a discharge from the other end of said passageway, an autosaid refrigerant passageway and a refrigerant suction outlet connected to the other end of said refrigerant passageway, a refrigerant liquefying unit connected to said valve and suctionA outlet, a pressure limiting valve between said suction outlet andsaid refrigerant liquefying unit and matic expansion valve connected to one-end of t lan automatic control -for said refrigerant liquefying unit responsive to 'refrigerant pressure-be- `tween said pressure limiting valve andfsaid refrigerant liquefying u nit.

Jone ofsaid passageways being a refrigerant passageway and the otherv passageway being a liquid to be cooled passageway, an inlet connection from a source ot liquidto be cooled into the upper end oi said liquid to be cooled passageway .and a discharge from the other end' of said passageway, an automatic expansion valve connected to the lower end of said refrigerant passageway and alrefrigerant suction outlet connected to` the upper-endet said refrigerant passageway,l a

thermostatic bulb adjacent said inlet connection and controlling said automatic expansion valve,

a refrigerant liduefying unit connected to said valve and suction outlet, a pressure limiting valve between said suction outlet and said refrigerant liduefying unit, and an automatic control for said unit responsive to refrigerant pressure between said pressure Alimiting valve and said unit.

u. a liquid cooler comprising a metallic structure forming verticallyP/spirally arranged passageways in thermal contact with each other, one of said passageways'being'a refrigerant passageway and the other passagewaybeinga liquid to be cooled passageway, arl inlet connection from Va .source of liquidto be cooled, into the u pper end of said liquid to be cooled passageway anda discharge from the other end of said passagwaan automatic expansion valve connected to the lower end oi said refrigerant passageway and a refrigerant suction outlet connection to the upper end of said refrigerant passageway, a thermostatic bulb adjacent `said inlet connection and controlling said automatic expansion valve, a refrigerant liquefying unit connected to said valve and suction outlet, a pressure'limiting'valve between said suction outlet and said refrigerant liquefying unit, and an automatic control for said unit responsive to reirigerantpressue bctween said pressure limiting valve and said unit.

d. A liquid cooler comprising a metallic structure forming vertically splrally arranged passageways in thermal contact with eachother, one of said passageways being a refrigerant passageway and the other passageway bei a liquid to be ,cooled passageway, 'un inlet `connection from 'a source of liquid to be cooled into the upperend of said liquid to be cooled passageway and o discharge from the other end of said passageway,

an automatic'expansion valve connected to the bwer end of said `refrigerant: passageway` and a refrigerant suction outlet connected to the upper end of said vrefrigerant passageway, a refrigerant liquefying unit connected to said valve and suc.- tlon outlet, a pressure limiting valve between said suction outlet and said refrigerant liquefyig unit, and an automatic control for said unit responsive to refrigerant pressure `Ibetween said pressure limiting valve and said unit.

lo. A liquid cooler comprising nested. tubes with a space between them sealedat the ends,

a pipe circuitously arranged in said space forming duid dow passagewaysinslde and outside" said i pipe and extending along said space one of said .1'.'geways being a refrigerant passageway and# .he other of said passageways being a liquid to be cooled ageway,v an inlet lconnection from a source of liquid to be cooled into' oneiend of said liquid to be cooled passagewayand a. discharge from the other end oi said passageway, an automatic expansion valve connected to one end of said refrigerant... passageway and arefrigerant and f refrigerant flowing` in counter-current, a

thermally responsive member located adjacent said suction outlet and said inlet connection from a source of liquid vand controlling said automaticl expansion valve anda refrigerant liquefying unit connected to said valve and suction outlet. e

1l.y A liquid cooler comprising vertically nested tubes with a space between them sealed at the ends, a pipe spirally arranged in said space forming fluid flow passageways inside and outside said pipe and extending along said space, one of said passageways being a refrigerant passageway and the other passageway being a liquid to be cooled passageway.' an inlet connection from a source of liquid to be cooled into the upper end of said `liquldto be cooled passageway and a discharge from the other end of said passageway, an automatic expansion valve connected to the lower end of said refrigerant passageway and a refrigot" said refrigerant passageway, a thermostatic bulb adiacent said suction outlet and controlling said automatic expansion valve, a refrigerant.l

erant suction outlet connectedto the upper end a source ofliquid to be cooled into the upper end of Vsaid liquid to be cooled passageway and a disi charge from the other end of said passageway,

an automatic expansion valve connected to the lower end of said refrigerant passageway and a refrigerant suction outlet connected to the upper end of said refrigerant passageway, a thermostatic bulb adjacent said suction outlet and controlling sald automatic expansion valve, a r'efrigerant liqueiying unit connected to said valve and suction outlet, a pressureV limiting valve between said suction outlet and said refrlgerantliqu efying unit, and an automatic control for said unit responsive to rreirigerant pressure between said pressure'limiting valve and said unit.

13. A liquid cooler comprising, nested continuously longitudinally straight walled tubes, rings at both ends of said tubes having anges in seal- `ing engagement with lthe ends. of said tubes, a

pipe clrcuitously arranged in the space between saidtubes forming duid ilowcircuitous passageways inside and outside said pipe, a refrigerant therethrough and 'a source of liquid to be cooled,`

connected to the other oi' said passageways.4

14. A liquid cooler comprising nestedcontinuously longitudinally straight walled tubes, rings at both ends of said tubes having flanges in seallng engagement with the ends of said tubes, a pipe circuitously arranged in the space between saidv tubes forming fluid flow circultous passage- `waysinslde and outside said pipe, a refrigerant liquefying unit connected to one of said passageways involatile refrigerant jiiow'relatio'nship and a source of liquid to be cooled connected to the otherY of said passageways, said pipe passing through both of said rings.

liquid to be cooled passageway at one end of saidl cooler, and a liquid discharge connection with said passageway at the other end of said cooler, a refrigerant liquefying unit, a liquid refrigerant connection between said unit and said refrigerant passageway at the last named end of said cooler, an automaticexpansion valve in said connection, an expanded refrigerant connectionbetween the other end of said refrigerant passageway at said i'lrst named end of saidccoler and said refrigerant liquefying unit, and a thermostatic element at said rst named end in thermal contact with both of said passageways modifying,

' v said automatic expansion Valve.

16. A liquidcooler comprising walls forming coaxial spiral refrigerant and liquid to be cooled passageways in thermal exchange relationship, a connection'hetween va source of liquid and said Aliquid to be cooled passageway at one end ofsaid cooler, and a liquid discharge connection with said passageway at the other end of said cooler, a refrigerant liquefying unit, a liquid refrigerant connection between said unit and said refrigerant passageway at the last named en d of said cooler,

`an automatic expansion valve in said connection, an expanded refrigerant connection between the other end of said refrigerant passageway at said Vrst named `end of said cooler and said refrigerant liquefying unit, and a thermostatic element at said rst named end in thermal contact with aosasio q said liquid .to beoooled passageway/moclifying said `automatic expansion valve.

i7. A liquid cooler comprising walls forming said cooler, a refrigerant liquefying unit, a liquid refrigerant connection between said unitnd said refrigerant passageway at the last named end of said cooler, an automatic expansion valve in said' connection, an expanded refrigerant connection between kthe other end of said refrigerant passageway at said rst named end of said cooler and said refrigerant liquefying unit, and a thermostatic element at said first named end in thermal contact with both of said passageways modifying said automatic expansion valve.

18.v A liqid cooler comprising nested tubes sealed together to form a longitudinally entend-A ing annular passageway between said tubes, a pipe circuitously arranged inthe space between said tubes forming uid ow circuitous passage- Ways inside and outside said pipe, a refrigerant expansion valve adjacent one end of one of said passageways andan evaporated refrigerant outlet at the other end of aid passageway, 'a refrigerant liquefying unit onnected in refrigerant ilow relationship with said expansion valve and 'said refrigerant outlet, asource of liquid to be cooled connected to one end of the other of said passageways, and a liquid discharge outlet at the other end of said last named passageway.

' J MWELL GmSON. 

